Spring Roll Dipping Sauce

by Christine Chan — May 17, 2008

Everyone has a favorite feel-good summer meal. My favorite is a tasty broth paired with fresh Vietnamese spring rolls, which were featured in Friday's recipe. The fresh mint and cilantro in soft rice wrappers can cool down the sultriest of days. Here is a sweet dipping sauce with a slight kick to accompany the rolls (from Digsmagazine.com).

Hoisin-Chili Dipping Sauce

1 shallot or 1-2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1 TBsp rice vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tsp Asian red chili paste (I use sambal oelek, but any chili paste will do)
2 TBsp chopped peanuts for garnish

Stir-fry the minced garlic or shallot for a minute or two, until the garlic is softened. Add the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and water, and bring to a boil. Add chili paste to taste (about 2tsp generally does it for me). Remove from heat, pour in dipping bowl(s), and garnish with chopped peanut.